Staff Profile

Career Summary

Biography

Professor John Attia obtained a BSc in Physiology (Faculty scholar at McGill University) and then won a 5 year MRC scholarship to complete his MD/PhD in Molecular Genetics (University of Toronto). He trained at McMaster University (Canada) in general internal medicine and obtained his fellowship with the Royal College of Physicians of Canada and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. During this time he was awarded the Outstanding Housestaff award, the J.T. Walsh award for outstanding Internal Medicine resident, and Best Teacher in Internal Medicine. During his residency, he also completed his MSc in Epidemiology (McMaster University). He has been listed on the NHMRC register of Evidence-Based Medicine experts and has provided epidemiological expertise to the Therapeutic Goods Administration. In 2012, he won the senior research excellence award from both the Faculty of Health (University of Newcastle) and the Hunter Medical Research Institute.

Between 1999 and 2013, he has collaborated in obtaining $13.6 million in grant income and published over 250 manuscripts (with another 5 submitted); these have garnered over 3000 citations, leading to an h-index of 30 (Scopus data April 2013). He has also submitted 7 government reports, and 7 book chapters. He has been supervisor or co-supervisor to 20 PhD students (10 graduated and 10 current) and 6 Master’s students (5 graduated, 1 current). He is currently academic director of general medicine at John Hunter Hospital responsible for the foundation and running of the advanced training program for general physicians, one of the only fully supported such programs in the state. He is also co-director of the Clinical Research Design, IT, and Statistical Support (CReDITSS) Unit, a unit that provides methodological and analysis advice to clinical researchers.

'Metabolic mediators of the effects of body-mass index, overweight, and obesity on coronary heart disease and stroke: a pooled analysis of 97 prospective cohorts with 1·8 million participants', The Lancet, 383 970-983 (2014)

Hiles SA, Baker AL, De Malmanche T, Attia JR, 'A meta-analysis of differences in IL-6 and IL-10 between people with and without depression: Exploring the causes of heterogeneity', Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 26 1180-1188 (2012) [C1]

Attia JR, Ioannidis JPA, Thakkinstian A, McEvoy MA, Scott R, Minelli C, et al., 'How to use an article about genetic association C: What are the results and will they help me in caring for my patients?', JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association, 301 304-308 (2009) [C1]

Tran HA, Reeves GE, Gibson R, Attia JR, 'Development of thyroid diseases in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C with alpha-interferon may be a good prognosticator in achieving a sustained virological response: A meta-analysis', Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 24 1163-1168 (2009) [C1]

2010 (10 grants)

Evaluating the effectiveness of a strategy to increase the adoption of best evidence practice. A cluster randomised controlled trial in acute stroke care$772,950Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)

Persistence of depressive symptoms and factors associated with depressive symptoms, across urban, rural and regional communities$52,500Funding Body: Australian Rotary Health

Evaluating the effectiveness of a strategy to increase the adoption of best evidence practice. A cluster randomised controlled trial in acute stroke care $50,000Funding Body: Victorian Department of Health

The effect of dietary folate, environmental toxins, and genetic polymorphisms in parents and children in determining the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia$20,000Funding Body: Royal Australasian College of Physicians

Suicide in Urban and Rural Australia: Determinants, Moderators and Treatment Options for Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours

2012

M Philosophy (ComMed&ClinEpid)

Co-Supervisor

Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Intravenous Ibuprofen Vs. Intravenous Indomethacin Vs. Placebo in the Management of Clinically and/or Echocardiographically Important Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Infants at Greater than 24 Hours of Life

2012

PhD (CommunityMed & ClinEpid)

Sole Supervisor

Factor V Leiden and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome

2012

PhD (Behavioural Science)

Co-Supervisor

The Food and Nutrient Intake and Physical Activity of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Non-Indigenous Rural Children

2012

PhD (CommunityMed & ClinEpid)

Co-Supervisor

The Study of Health Outcomes in Aircraft Maintenance Personnel: Sensory System Effects

2010

PhD (CommunityMed & ClinEpid)

Sole Supervisor

The Clinical Efficacy of Tea Tree Oil as an Alternative Topical Decolonisation Agent for Adult Inpatients with Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

2010

PhD (Medicine)

Co-Supervisor

Genetic Polymorphisms of Platelet Glycoprotein and Cyclooxygenase-2 Genes and Their Influence on Risk of Ischaemic Stroke, 90 Day Post-Stroke Outcome, and Gene-Environment Interactions

2007

PhD (CommunityMed & ClinEpid)

Co-Supervisor

Clinical Epidemiology of B Natriuretic Peptides as Tests for Heart Failure in Australian General Practice